faithful

I'm so sorry I haven't posted anything lately. Things got kinda crazy with maybe baby, maybe not. And getting ready for the first set of holidays without my mom, so blogging went to the back burner. My mom would have been 61 on December 14th. And last year we surprised her with a Christmas trip to NYC (she didn't get to go and dad stayed home with her). Looking back on that I feel horrible for even telling her about that. But at that point we all just thought she was having bowel issues. And I second guess myself every time I think about it because why didn't I know something? (So I was dreading December 14th this year. Actually I was really trying not to think about it, mostly avoiding it. Kinda like August 10th, the six month anniversary of my mom's death. But that day we found out Baby Teal was going to be a girl. I haven't been that happy in a long while.) But then Haidyn came on December 14th. So no longer will I have to dread that day. Laura was scheduled to be induced but Haidyn came on her own. In 3 hours. If Laura hadn't been scheduled to be induced none of us would have made it there in time. I'm so thankful God's plans for Haidyn's birth included us!! And how HE knew the wranglings of my heart, even without the words coming out of my mouth about that day--Oh how faithful HE is!!

So 2010 started pretty crummy but ended up fabulous. And now I'm dreading February 10th--maybe there will be a proposal or something. (That is totally a joke :) But really if you have diamonds you can send them to me, from God. :)

Enjoy the pics of my new niece!!

love, Aunt SES

(Jonathan's sister is Sarah as well so Cal's nickname for me has stuck! My initials in case you didn't catch on)

(And do you see the pots in the picture? I had to ask Laura where her pots and pans were when I cooked dinner--Ha! I'm such an idiot sometimes!)

Haidyn's Room

In October, Dad and I went to see Laura and Jonathan in STL. We went for Haidyn's 3D Ultrasound. While we were there, Laura and I did some decorating.

One of my favorite things about my Mom was her decorating sense. We didn't always agree about how many pleats or gathers should be on my drapes, but it always turned out better when I listened to her. Laura and I have missed decorating Haidyn's room with her. I'm beginning to think some of her sense rubbed off on us. We did pretty good together.

One thing Laura cried about after finding out she was pregnant was having 'store bought' bedding since Mom wouldn't be around to make it. God stepped in twenty years ago and introduced us to Michelle, one of Mom's Precept friends. Mom and Michelle are to blame for the 50+ pillows in the Schmidt house. So guess who offered to make Haidyn's bedding? Yup, Michelle.

God is SO Good!!

Of course I can't find the pictures of the bedding but I'll put them on here when I do.

doggie door

Some of you might remember the post about finding the switch to my furnace while getting Christmas boxes out of the attic.

I'm pretty handy, but sometimes I'm a bit over zealous. As in the case of my doggie door.

My new back door is full glass with blinds between the two panes. So putting a doggie door in the glass wasn't an option. Neither was buying a new door--it was like $500. And the storm doors with doggie doors in them were U-G-L-Y. Think 'Rasing Arizona' trailer look. So I googled doggie doors for a month before deciding on the only option.

1. Purchase a doggie door online that could be put in a glass storm door. ($150 + shipping)

2. Purchase storm door. ($280)

3. Have glass cut for doggie door that could fit in storm door. ($185)

See, much cheaper. . .

But no one told me doors come in different widths. Yes, that's right. I bought the wrong size door. The 36" door was just about 4 inches too wide. No one told me to MEASURE.

So back to Lowe's to SPECIAL ORDER a 32" door. And you know what special order means, more expensive.

And then I lost the receipt to the 36" storm door, not to mention the glass with the doggie door cut out. So they won't take it back.

And then I called the glass company, thinking they could just cut down the glass I had already purchased by 4" so it would fit in the new door. Yeah, that was too easy. The glass is tempered and will shatter when cut. Nice.

So another $300 for the new storm door, another $150 for the glass, and I finally have a doggie door in.

As you can see in the picture, it took Bentley awhile to figure it out. Guess he got confused by the glass.

Thank goodness now they're using it!

And, my front door is 36" wide so the 1st storm door is going on the front door.

So much for my brilliant ideas. . . .

Haidyn

Ed and I flew to STL this weekend to see Haidyn in 3D. We had a great time. I had to twist Ed's arm to go but I think he really enjoyed it.

To see pics check out my sister's blog: http://teamteal.blogspot.com

We also were able to help Laura and Jonathan finish decorating Haidyn's room. Laura and I found some really great lined and inter-lined curtains at Lowe's that we just hot glued trim onto. (Please don't tell on us--my mother would hate that we hot glued and didn't sew :) But Laura and I think they turned out really well. I'm still waiting for pictures from her--you might as well check out her blog to see them.

We are so excited to welcome Haidyn into our family. We think she'll fit in just nicely!

tulsa state fair

So since the fair has opened work has been slow. I'm thinking people are spending their time and money at the fair. That's my guess anyway. Makes me sad that people spend their money on that kind of stuff. But, of course, they'll call our office in a few weeks and need some samples to make it through the month because they 'can't afford their medications.' But sure can the $8 Mega Ride at the state fair and the expensive food. Oh well!!

action

So Kristen--here's your laugh for the day.

A patient was brought in for a visit my his mother. He's 40 and mentally handicapped. But I love him. It appears that he told his Sunday School class that he has a staph infection. They won't let him come back without a note.

Side note: he had staph but not the 'bad' antibiotic-resistant kind.

Mom proceeds to tell me that she goes to a different church. But he goes with some friends because 'he gets more action' at the other church.

And I'm thinking it's a different 'action' that I'm thinking of. At least I hope so.

my sis the preggo

Last weekend Laura's friends threw her a shower for Miss Haidyn Elizabeth. We had a great time.

Liz even flew up for the event!! Thanks Liz!!

And the food was fabulous

Thanks to everyone who came!

the twins

Well the twins arrived 8-9-10. Such a great birthday. Ken & Rebecca are AMAZING parents. And not as sleep deprived as I thought. I see them every so often. Sorry this picture is blurry but it looks like they're trying to tell me to shut my mouth. Can't wait to teach them all sorts of things!! Be checking in for more pictures.

Sarah with Abigail and Asher

odors

You know how there are certain odors that when you smell them it takes you back? Like the day before we started school in Bartlesville. Our cat, Toby, got sprayed by a skunk. And then ran through the house. So anytime I smell a skunk it reminds me of being SOOOO nervous about starting high school. And not having any friends. Then I tried to cover up the smell with some expensive home spray my Mom had. It was vanilla. Bad idea. So now anytime I smell vanilla I gag a little.

Well, one of my new neighbors likes to smoke. Mary Juana that is. In the evenings. So everytime I go out in the backyard in the evenings I smell it. It's not all the time, but it's frequently. I'm pretty sure I know which one it is. Not that he leaves his porch light on, but I think I know. And pretty sure he's not using it for 'medicinal' purposes.

So the first time I smelled it, we were in London. Laura and I were staying in a really small hotel room together. It was Spring Break of my freshman year of high school. Mom had taken us on a whirlwind tour of Europe in 8 days. Most of it seen through the windows of a tour bus. But it was fun. But now everytime I walk in my backyard it takes me back. It was a good trip and I have good memories but the smell, not so much. But at least I can smile.

And if you need to relax, you know where to come in the evenings. . . .

the house

So I bet you're wondering why I haven't been blogging. Well here's why:

I've been here 6 weeks and it feels like home already. Laura came down for about 4 days after I moved in and really helped me unpack. She and Ed worked on the front porch and had it done and the flowers planted while I was at work.

This SCHLAGE is SOOO cool. It took Ed and I 3 days to figure out how to program it, but it's so nice to take the dogs for a walk to meet Kylie and Cal at the pool and not worry about taking keys with me. I'm gonna have these on all my houses from now on.


If you didn't know about the fencing incident while it was going on, bless you. I had the fence in my contract, but the builder wouldn't put up the fence until after closing. Because they said they've been burned in the past about fencing and then the house doesn't close, yada yada. Well the mortgage company wouldn't close without the fence being up. So, 1 day before we were supposed to close, the fence is taken out of the contract. It was crazy!! But I'm glad I waited because Dad talked me into putting up a picket on the sides, which I love. And it makes the yard seem bigger and not closed in. And Doc talked me into putting it behind the window to the dining room, leaving more room in the front yard. And the fence people talked me into two gates, which I also love. So in the end I love having to wait! Good things come to those who wait.

Entry

Study

Dining Room

Living Room, with Bentley in the corner

Living Room, from the kitchen

Living Room

Kitchen, from the Living Room

Kitchen

Door from the garage is on the left. It's a strange area. I'm still working on it. The kitchen also doesn't have an island, something I'm working on. I feel like I need more workspace, so I'm thinking about talking with a carpenter about building me one.

Pardon the flip flops

Back Porch

View from the back porch

And lawn I don't have to mow. Well, beyond the fence.

Kid's bedroom

I'm calling it the kid's bedroom because I'm hooking up the Wii and having toys in here. So the adults can hang out in the living room. I also hooked up a VCR because of all the kids movies I have on VHS. :)

Guest Bedroom

Guest Bedroom #2 (AKA Storage)

I know that it seems like I have a ton of space and really don't need 4 bedrooms, but I'm hoping to not move ever again. So hopefully I can find a man and some kids to help fill it up. :)

Laundry Room

Guest/Hall Bath

Master

Master, and yes the dog crates

Master Bath

and Jaccuzi tub

excuse the mess

Master Bath

and shower

I am so blessed. Thank you all for your prayers about moving. I'm so glad to be 5min away from work. And closer to Ed. And enjoy being so close to the Easterwoods. We've been visiting the neighborhood pool frequently. Come by sometime. Just give me a head's up to pick up the underwear!

tim

This week has been hard as we've dealt with the death of Tim Cardwell. Tim was our music minister at FBC when I was in high school. He was also the father of Bryan and Brent Cardwell, two of my high school friends.

He was the best youth choir director, ever. He took us to Washington, D.C.; Colorado; San Francisco; and Orlando, Florida. All 50 of us. He was our fill-in youth director too when we were in between youth ministers, which happened frequently.

He was the guy's church softball coach, who occassionally got kicked out of the games.

He was the guy who wore the BAYLOR class ring and when he wasn't getting things done, it would be used on counters to get people's attention.

But beyond that, he was our friend and role model.

And I think I'm taking it so hard because it hits so close to home. I told my friend last night that I'm too young to be losing my friend's parents. But I guess this is life. And we need to make the most of the time we have. For we aren't guaranteed anything.

The old group is getting together for his Celebration Service next week to sing 'Wings of the Dawn.' Tim would like that.

We miss you buddy and we'll see you again!

And to Bryan and Brent, I'm praying for you guys. . .

rebecca

My bestest PA friend, Rebecca, is pregnant. And having twins!! A boy and a girl. Asher and Abigail. They are scheduled to arrive 8-9-10. Isn't that fabulous? I asked if they could be born at 11:12am. Her doctor said no.

Today we had a shower for her. We had a 'two peas in a pod' theme. It was SO cute. We even had goodie bags with doublemint gum!! I was so blessed to help with two fabulous cooks and one lady with one eye for design. (I've been packing and moving so I just made bread.) We had a great time and I can't wait to meet Asher and Abigail.

Congrats Rebecca!!

finally moved

Well, I finally feel like life is getting back to normal. And I can blog again. Well, in between unpacking boxes. I got my computer back up and running this evening and feel so free! And the internet is up as well. So here are some pictures over the past few days.
Can't wait to have everyone over. The pool is less than a mile away. And nachos de cortez can be ordered for pickup to go with the margaritas. (If you haven't had them, they are fabulous--from Compadres here in Owasso--my co-worker Mandee introduced me.)

That's what you'll get if you come and help unpack!!

waiting . . .

So after lots of rain, like 6" in one day last week, and other troubles with the builder, don't get me started, I'm still living with Dad. Hopefully if all goes as planned we're closing Thursday at 4pm. Please keep it in your prayers. Not really sure why this is all happening--I haven't prayed for patience recently. . . . But trying to stay positive.

So, prayerfully, we'll be moving in Friday morning. So if you're out and about and wanna come by to unpack, just come on up to Owassy!!

And I'll try to get some newer pictures on here once we close!!

i'm gonna be a (real) aunt

I've been biting my tongue for weeks to tell you all that Laura and Jonathan are expecting!! I consider myself an 'aunt' to all my friend's kids, but this time I'm related and I'm 'really' an aunt!!

(I asked if I could call it Cletus the Fetus and was told no. Same for chicken fry, as in chicken fried rice. Guess I'll just wait to teach it 'pull my finger' and all the other wonderful things I've taught my other nieces and nephews: Wet Willy's, medical terms like syphyllis, etc. Their parents love me!!)

We're so thrilled at the new edition to the Schmidt/Teal Family coming in December!!!

You can see pictures & read more about it here: http://teamteal.blogspot.com

So exciting, isn't it?!?!

cancer smelling dogs

So a woman calls last week and says, "I know this sounds wierd but I need a mammogram. I've heard dogs can smell cancer and my dogs have been smelling my breasts so I really need to get one."

But then told me she was going to be out of town for the month and would have to wait until she got back to schedule it. (She was really wanting one that day. Too bad I don't work at the medical drive-through ordering service.)

Still waiting to get the results back on that one. I couldn't make this stuff up.

mother's day

So I'm really not looking forward to tomorrow. Actually, I've tried NOT to think about it. But then I was driving home last night from work and passed the TWIN PEAKS billboard and started to laugh. Mom and I were driving on 169 before she got sick and she saw the billboard and said, "Hey, that looks like a great place to eat. We should try it." I looked at her and said, "Um, do you NOT get the twin peaks analogy? It's boobs mom--it's like Hooters. Do you still want to go there? The girls will have on tight shirts and their business hanging out." She decided we shouldn't go there.

There are so many things I miss about my mom. And I'm sure tomorrow will be hard. But then I remember something funny she said and it's ok.

But I'm going to try to focus on the good things. Like my friends Liz & Kylie and celebrate Mother's Day with them. And their great kids.

And my friend Mandee from work. Who's a single mom of the cutest 5 year old, Toby. She works with us and is going back to school. (I actually tried to help her on a lab report for Biology and I got her a 'D'. She didn't ask for much help after that.) I'm so proud of her. And the other Moms I work with: Omega, Heather, Cindy, Dee & Felicia.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Last Mother's Day with Laura and Jonathan in St Louis, after Laura's graduation

goodbye bixby, hello owasso

Bixby

Owasso

Well, what can I say? Ed leaves for Cuba and my house sells and I buy another one. Laura says we should send Ed away more frequently? Me, I say we need to get those Cubans praying for us more often!!

I am losing money, but am getting a really good deal on a new home in Owasso. And a great interest rate. Can't wait to have a 10min commute. And the extra money I used to spend on gas.

I'm closing on the Bixby house on May 24th. My new house (should) be ready on June 21st. I know, two moves isn't ideal. But Ed's letting me move in with him, so I'll be able to save some money.

I'll post more pictures of it when they get a little more finished. Because it's still in drywall state, I got to choose finishes. And I pretty much chose the exact same stuff I have now. I'm so predictable. But I had to look at everything first. At lease I know what I like!!

God is good, all the time!

work & dating.

Haven't been doing much of that lately. It has been SOOO slow at work. And I have a great PA student so she's doing most of the work. So now I'm really bored. And they blocked most of the really good internet sites to surf. If only it were November and I had Christmas cards to address . . .

But two funny stories from work this week.

First, a lady says to me, "So you're fat so you understand how it feels." What? I may be overweight but I don't think I'm fat. I may say I'm fat but NO ONE else can call me that. It's just rude. It's ok--she's kinda strange so it really didn't hurt my feelings.

So same day as I get called fat, an older patient brings in her list of blood pressures. Not only are there blood pressures on her list, about 10 times a day, but also comments. Like, "Rats! Nuts! My scale seems stuck." Our favorite? "Pulse high from eating," which then is scratched out and replaced with "post coitus." Um, she's about 80. Or older. Gross me out!! If you don't know what coitus is, google it.

And dating. Well, let's just say I have some funny stories for my dating book I'm going to write someday.

I've joined eHarmony. Again. Well, I actually joined awhile ago. But was too afraid to discuss it. My goal this time? Having 500 men 'close' communication with me. Well, I achieved my goal this last week. (I'll give you my signature if you want. Insert applause.)

But the BEST was some responses I got from a guy. Why do they have to be one extreme or the other?? Where are all the 'NORMAL,' Christian guys?

Hope you enjoy. I think it speaks for itself.

The questions are ones I sent him--the responses are all his own.

Looking back on your life, of what are you most proud? I guess I'm most proud of my son. He honors Christ, remembers scripture verses, gives generously, prays earnestly, exalts God, obeys his parents, learns and remembers lessons from scripture, and is absolutely brilliant. He exhibits more wisdom than I do, and has far better theology than 90% of preachers in America today. By the way, he's 7.

Describe an interest you have that you would truly hope your partner could share with you. Evangelism, street preaching, door to door and fair booth-type witnessing. The woman I marry, if I am to, must share passion for lost souls. I am also keen to home school our children. I really believe that the home is the best place to learn, and that parents are the best teachers. In fact, I start my teaching licensure this fall, and should be done by the time I retire.

How important is it to you that your partner fulfill traditional gender roles? (I asked this because I like my job and would like to continue working - - - yada, yada--just seeing what he thought about that) Not important, I like doing things around the house. But I'm also used to doing chores because I'm compelled to do it. However, I do believe there is a big difference between what we consider 'traditional gender roles' and the model of marriage Christ laid down in Scripture, and I believe a Christian man and woman ought to model the roles for marriage as set forth in the Bible for the sake of the Gospel. That makes a perfect marriage, and one that is Christ-honoring and God-exhalting.

Just so you know, I closed communication with him.

I'm beginning to feel like I may be single awhile longer. So I'm waiting.

Hope you can laugh. I'm off to do some fair booth-type witnessing. . .

late

So sorry I'm not posting. Not that there's anything NOT to talk about. Rebecca having twins. Emmie Easterwood's arrival. House on the market again. Dad's big screen planted above the fireplace. He keeps saying Mom would have thought it looked good. Yeah, I'm gonna go with no she wouldn't.

But I'm just really trying to keep it together. Still not sleeping well. Trying all the over the counter sleep aids. The prescription ones make me too loopy. And not cry all the time.

But things will get better. God is Good. I have to keep telling myself that. He is Faithful. And He knows what I need better than I know myself.

So I'm just plugging along. Doing life. Crying some. Trying to sleep some. Not really wanting to blog. But I promise I'll get better. There's lots of new little ones around. And birthday time.

And my favorite from last week:
Senis

No, not that. It's Sinus. Or was supposed to be. That's what a patient wrote why he came in. First time for that spelling.

And my new patient last week. Whose favorite word was 'honestly.' As in, "Honestly, I usually don't have that big of a poop." (That was my favorite use of the word.) So, of course, we are all saying it now. Honestly.

faithfulness

Got some awesome news today--the lawsuit is offically over.

God is Good.

All the Time.

dogs

I'm taking care of Dad's dogs this week. Let me just say 4 is WAAAYY too many. Any whoo--I found some rawhide rolls for the Springers. They chewed them for 45 min last night before I took them away--and then gave them back to them tonight. What a great treat! The usual bone lasts about 30 minutes.

So here's my night--Reagan and Rusty growling at each other while chewing their bones. Bella chews her bone for a couple of minutes, then has to run through the rest of the dogs and growl at them and then goes back under the dining room table. Repeat about every 4-5 minutes. Bentley 'guards' his bone until the other dogs are finished with theirs and then eats his. It's quite humorous.

Reagan likes to play ball, but I'm behind on my notes so I didn't throw the ball enough for her tonight, I guess. About 15 minutes ago she came in and barked at me and then walked into her crate. I think I just got flipped off, the dog-way.

It's hard not to laugh at them. Because soon Rusty will come out of my bedroom with my dirty underwear on his head or he's tossing it in the air and catching it. But it does make my underwear 'vented' or 'airy.'

Wish I would have gotten some pics or video . . .

nothing to report

I've been told I need to get back to blogging. But I really don't have anything to say. Well, besides my mom dying.

I'm beginning to feel like Phoebe from FRIENDS, who constantly brings up the death of her mother. Like when they are chosing maid-of-honor for Monica's wedding, Phoebe's excuse is that her mom committed suicide when she was 15 so she should get to be the maid-of honor. I actually have used the excuse. Someone asked if I wanted to help clean up the kitchen at work. I told them, "No thank you, my mom just died." It tends to work. Except on my sister. We were looking for something at a baby boutique and couldn't find it so I mentioned that we should probably ask. She asked me if I wanted to do it. My response, "No thanks, my mom just died yesterday." She told me she was going to punch me in the face and then told me her mom just died too. I told her I was sooooo sorry to hear that. I did make her smile though.

So, life is moving on. It's wierd though. It really didn't hit until I got back to Bixby. It's funny how I look around my house and see my mom.

The thing I'm dreading? Going through her closet. Dad really wants Laura and I to go through it so we can give it to people who really need the clothes. It's just that her clothes are so personal. That and they smell like her. I'm keeping the jewelry and the purses. Too bad I don't wear a size 7 1/2 shoe.

So this is going to be my only poor me blog. I don't want to turn this into grief therapy. But I don't want people to think I'm moving on without her. She's with me everyday. I really do miss her. But I'm so glad I'm going to see her again. I just tell myself she's making curtains for my heavenly home. That and keeping track of my thank you notes.

Mom's Slideshow

thanks

I can't begin to tell you all how much you all have meant to me these last few months. We are still feeling all the prayers.

To those of you who traveled near and far to come to the funeral, I can't tell you how much it meant to me. Grandma told me she wished she'd gone to more weddings and funerals before she died. And I really think that's true. It meant so much for EVERYONE to be there. Thank you.

As Dad and I were putting laundry away today, he said, "I can't believe how much things have changed." I nodded in agreement. Now we've got a new normal.

We had a really good day today. Bruce, Kevin and Amanda came by for bagels before heading back to KC. And Laura and J left to get back to STL before it started snowing again. (Let me just say, Laura, J and I together are not good for snow forcasts. We've been in 3 blizzards since NYC in December.)

Dad and I went to church, and I didn't even cry. (Probably because the Lunesta I took last night hadn't worn off yet.)

And then we went looking for a new tv. Sorry Mom, but we're putting a flat-screen tv on the mantle in the family room. She will probably kick us when we get to heaven, but oh well. I'm thinking Ed's house will be the new football watching house.

I took a nap this afternoon. And I think Dad had a really hard time. He said he tried to take a nap and then turned on the tv and realized Sunday nights were the nights he and Mom would watch the travel shows together. I know there's going to be a lot of that in the next few weeks and months. But I have to keep reminding him & myself how much pain she was in and how much better she is now.

And we'll be ok--it will just take some time.